Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1887-07-14
LITTLE SHORTY.

OF III.
At the beginning of the war it had
been our boast that Cottonville was
slow but sure. Once tangled up in
the struggle we did not see our way
out of it, and when the paroled veter
ans in gray began to struggle home-
ward over the old red hills we could
hardly believe that their return signi-
fled the end of the war.
When small detachment of federal
troops occupied the village there was
general Indignation among our people.
Some of the holder spirits were in
favor of wiping out the invaders at
one fell swoop, but the more moderate
counsels of the returned confederates
prevailed and prevented the renewal
of hostilities.
One thing, however, we were all
determined upon, and that was to
show the miserable interlopers that
Cottonville was still loyal to the con-
federacy and would submit to nothing
disagreeable
We did not find it necessary to do
anything rash. We held a few public
meetings and passed resolutions pro-
claiming our devotion to the lost cause,
but that was about all.
Among the paroled confederates was
quiet, pale-faced man, who was
known far and wide as Little Shorty.
One mad only to look at hin to see the
appropriateness of his nickname. Lit
tie Shorty, to the great disgust of his
llow-townsmen, refused to partci-
pate in the public demonstrations. He
f4t n To 40 nm
policy was TO make the best of the
situation and obey whatever laws the
victors saw fit to promulgate while we
were going through the process Of re-
construction
Now, although Little Shorty was in
significant in stature, he was perhaps
the strongest man in the county. He
was match for any two ordinary
men This was all that saved him at
that time from being made the victim
of AN outburst OF popular Indignation.
! There was rough talk. of course and
| the prominent citizens as Il rule ostro
cisco him.
Little Shorty did his duty in the
war remarked q mJu one day when
the natter Was Wldcr discussions
'|c-. after fashion, replied Col.
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said the other. He volunteered, You
SNOW among the iiIat'
That's all right, answered the
colonel contemptuously' III ne
nam volunteered me Woilla nave
been conseLlpted later. lie was sharp
enough lo nave an lhhilhg ~ H. anu
80 ne Went 10 the front ike % -tt'le
man lhat was no test OK ms courage
Look at nm now Is ne standIng by
ht, pe"pi'- Is ne liue 10 inc IpSD
cause on see what me is d"inG. lie
i3f"ts s4uihlNsIoh' lie claims lhtl we
are suoJugitta people ! doh snow
"hat A"U lnlhh' gentlemen, put ! say
1aat nus toh0ucl y tiiai oI a bastard
ana traitor!
The words OF Col Jones were re-
peated all over the village, ana naiur-
3ill the} tended 10 miiame public SEN
tinent. euil more. 1t was true that
lhe colonel h2d moi been IN the army,
put nus patIoiie conduct IN or@aniz-
ing % loIcu-llShJ procession when the
state 'ectueu nae never beeh forgot
t'n, ANA ms fearless opposition to
everything, jhat came from a federal
source maze hih q popular IDOL
ihe situation ghd not improve ms
lime rolled ON. Additional blue coats
Were stailohea ai Ootlonyllle, Ihty
S"almeo lh the streets Aeir olucers
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